Acoustical assembly with connectors having lips

ABSTRACT

An acoustic assembly has sound absorbing panels held in place by U-shaped connectors having oppositely disposed lips that extend parallel with and bear against flanges on the panels. A bolt extends through one connector and into the next connector where it enters a socket. Tightening of the bolt draws the connector lips against the panel flanges thus tightening the assembly.

[72] inventor:

United States Patent Eckel [54] ACOUSTICAL ASSEMBLY WITH CONNECTORS HAVING LIPS Oliver C. Ecltel, P.O. Box 226, Weston, Mass. 02138 [22] Filed: Oct. 19,1970

[2]] Appl.No.: 81,765

[52] U.S.Cl. ..l8l/33 G,52/l27,52/l45 [51] Int. Cl ..E04b 1/84 [58] Field oiSearch ..l8l/33 R, 33 G, 33 GA,33 GB,

[Si/30; 52/127, 144 145 Y [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,519,162 8/1950 Tucker ..l8l/33G [4 1 Mar. 28,1972

3,136,397 6/1964 Eckel ..52/l45 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 575,543 5/1959 Canada ..l8 l/33 G Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney-Harold E. Cole [57] ABSTRACT An acoustic assembly has sound absorbing panels held in place by U-shaped connectors having oppositely disposed lips that extend parallel with and bear against flanges on the panels..A bolt extends through one connector and into the next connector where it enters a socket. Tightening of the bolt draws the connector lips against the panel flanges thus tighteningthe assembly.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Ffiures ACOUSTICAL ASSEMBLY WITH CONNECTORS HAVING LIPS The principal object of my invention to provide improved sound absorbing structures that greatly stifien the assembly and enable more uniform pressure to be applied to the panel flanges by means of lips on connectors that bear on and can be tightened against the panel flanges-Also they make possible the use of sound absorbing material in vital places.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination-and arrangement of parts such as is disclosed by the drawing. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modifications, and therefore, I am not to be limited to the particular construction disclosed bythe drawing nor to that described in the specification; but an entitled to all such changes therefrom asfall within the scope of my invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of my assembly.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2; but showing a modified form of my invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2; but showing a further modified form of my invention.

, FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing various parts forming the invention shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a U-shaped connector with resilient material added to the lips thereof.

FIG.-7 is a perspective view of a U-shaped support with sockets integrally attached thereof, ready to receive bolts.

As illustrated, an acoustical member or panel 10, a plurality of which are used as structural members, form a wall, ceiling, floor or the like. Said panel is provided with sound absorbing material such as fiberglass 12 between two oppositely disposedenclosure sheets 13 and 15 which are formed of a suitable material such as l8-gauge galvanized sheet metal, for instance. Each said enclosure sheet 13 has a face portion 14 which is the inner face as shown,from one endof which an integral side portion 18 angularly extends. From this side portion a short extension or attaching flange 20 extends horizontally outward, in position of use, as shown, at a point intermediate the outer and inner faces of said panel 10. Said enclosure sheet 15 has a face portion -16 which is the outer or exposed face as shown from one end of which an integral side portion 22 angularly extends towards said portion 18. From the latter side portion 22 a short extension or attaching flange 24 extends horizontally as shown, alongside said flange 20 so that said flanges 20 and 24 are associated as a parallel pair in contact with each other.

The face 16 of the enclosuresheet 15 has perforations P therein, such as 3l32-inch holes, and said face 14 of the inner sheet 13 may have them if there is need for sound absorption from both sides of said panel.

If three or more panels 10 are connected, then both extremities of any panel placed in an intermediate position will be provided with attaching flanges.

Since a plurality of panels 10 are used to form a wall or the like, they are firmly retained by means of a U-shaped connector 38, which has a bridge or cross member 30 that is preferably flush at its outer surface, with said outer face portions 16. At opposite sides of said bridge member 30, two legs 32 and 34 extend.

Said leg 32 terminates at its inner end with a lip or short angular portion 36 that contacts a said flange 24, while said leg 34 similarly terminates with a similar lip 40 that contacts another said flange 24. Said retainer face 30 has a central hole 39 therethrough, later referred to.

Another U-shaped connector 42 has a bridge or cross member 44 that is flush with said outer face portions 14. A bolt-receiving socket 46 is welded to said cross or bridge member 44, later described. Two legs 48 and '52 are at opposite sides of said bridge member 44 and they terminate at their ends with lips 50 and 54 respectively, being similar to lips 36 and 40. A-bolt 56 extends .through .said hole 39, being countersunk in said bridge member- 30, and it screwthreadedly connects .with said socket46; Thus saidconnectors 38 and 42 are drawn towards each other when said'bolt 56-is screwed into said socket-46, drawing said lips and 40 tightly to said -flanges'20 and.24. Likewise said lips-50' and 54am.

drawn tightly to said flanges 20 and 24 on said enclosure sheets 13.

Insaid FIG. 3 a modified formis shown in which a bolt receiving'bar'60-in said retainer42 has a screw-threaded hole 62 therethrough. A bolt64 extends through saidhole 39Jand enters said hole '62 and when it istightened it draws said'bar 60 against said lips'50 and 54, thusefiecting a tightening action of said panels l3 and 15 as above described. Immediately below said bar60-iscompressed fiberglass-.66 which said bar 60 contacts, and which'serves as a sound absorber.

In saidFIG.4 another modified form is shownin which aU- shaped smaller connector=70 which l call asupport extends into said U-shaped connector'42. It has abridge member 72-to which a bolt-receiving socket 74 is weldedsimilar to said socket 46. Exteriorly of said support 70 is soundabsorbing material 76 which bears against s'aid'bridgemember 44- and also against said supportbrid'ge member 72, being compressed between the two latter bridge members.

Said support 70- has aleg 78 and another leg 80 whichlegs extend from opposite ends, of said bridge member 72 and'bear against said lips 50 and 54 respectively. A bolt 82 extends through said hole 39 and screw-threadedly'connectswith said socket 74. As said bolt is tightened-it draws said-U-shaped. sup port 70 against said lips 50 and 54, thustighteningthe whole panel assembly as above described.

Fiberglass 1'2-between said support bridge 72 and bridge 44 serves to absorb sound, thus making the connecting means between said acoustical panels more sound absorbent.

A compressible material 58 such as rubber or plastic may be placed on lips such as 50 and 54 showing in said FIG. 6 to further make the assembly soundproof.

In said FIG. 7 said'support 70 is shown having sockets 86 welded to the inner surface thereof and which may be spaced apart different distances as desired. In this formthere is ,no discolorationfrom welding as on an outside connector since no sockets are welded thereto.

What I claim is:

1. An acoustical assembly comprising two laterally opposite, sound absorbing panels and two connectors between them, each said panel embodying two face portions spaced from each other, two side portions extending from said face portions towards each other and two flangeportions extending from said side portions angularly and positioned alongside and adjacent each other, sound absorbing material between said two face portions, said connectorseach embodying two legs and a bridge member between and connecting said legs at one end, said legs each having a lip portion atthe otherend extending inwardly towards each other and respectively contacting said flange portions, a first said connector bridge member having a hole therethrough, a bolt'receiving member in a second said connector, a bolt extending through said hole and adapted to connect with said receiving member to thereby draw said lips of each connector towards each other and firmly against said flanges.

2. An acoustical assembly as of claim 1, said bolt receiving member being fixed tosaid second connector bridge member.

3. An acoustical assembly as of claim 1, said bolt receiving member bearing against said lips of said second connector.

4. An acoustical assembly as of claim 3, and sound absorbing material between said receiving memberand said receiving member and said second connector bridge member.

5. An acoustical assembly as of claim 1, and a U-shaped support within said second connector embodying two legs and a bridge member between them, said latter legs contacting said lips of said second connector, said'bolt receiving member being fixed to said support bridge member.

tact with said panel flanges.

8. An acoustical assembly as of claim 5, said bolt receiving member being integrally united to the innersurface of said support bridge member.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 5 7 7 Dated March 97 In ent Oliver C. ECkCl It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:-

Column 2, line 69, cancel "said receiving member and".

Signed and sealed this 12th day of December 1972, c

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 1 FORM PC4050 (10459) uscoMM-Dc 60376-1 69 US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 7 I969 0-356-334,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3; 5 7 Dated March 97 Oliver 0. Eckel Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 69, cancel "said receiving member and".

Signed and sealed this 12th day of December 1972 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Atteating Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) Y U.ST GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 0-355-334, 

1. An acoustical assembly comprising two laterally opposite, sound absorbing panels and two connectors between them, each said panel embodying two face portions spaced from each other, two side portions extending from said face portions towards each other and two flange portions extending from said side portions angularly and positioned alongside and adjacent each other, sound absorbing material between said two face portions, said connectors each embodying two legs and a bridge member between and connecting said legs at one end, said legs each having a lip portion at the other end extending inwardly towards each other and respectively contacting said fLange portions, a first said connector bridge member having a hole therethrough, a bolt receiving member in a second said connector, a bolt extending through said hole and adapted to connect with said receiving member to thereby draw said lips of each connector towards each other and firmly against said flanges.
 2. An acoustical assembly as of claim 1, said bolt receiving member being fixed to said second connector bridge member.
 3. An acoustical assembly as of claim 1, said bolt receiving member bearing against said lips of said second connector.
 4. An acoustical assembly as of claim 3, and sound absorbing material between said receiving member and said second connector bridge member.
 5. An acoustical assembly as of claim 1, and a U-shaped support within said second connector embodying two legs and a bridge member between them, said latter legs contacting said lips of said second connector, said bolt receiving member being fixed to said support bridge member.
 6. An acoustical assembly as of claim 5, said support being spaced inwardly from said second connector bridge member, and sound absorbing material between the latter and said support bridge member.
 7. An acoustical assembly as of claim 1, said connector lips having compressible coating material at the surfaces in contact with said panel flanges.
 8. An acoustical assembly as of claim 5, said bolt receiving member being integrally united to the inner surface of said support bridge member. 